Just two years ago, Craig Roberts was a teen actor working his way through BBC shows such as Tracy Beaker and Being Human.

But since then, the Rhymney Valley actor has seen his career explode thanks to his breakout role in Brit comedy hit Submarine.

Now 21, he has appeared in films with Robert DeNiro and Sigourney Weaver, been directed by Tim Burton, chased Winona Ryder around a deserted Blackpool theme park and written his own TV show.

Craig said that filming a new single by The Killers had been a dream come true as he had always been a fan of Beetlejuice, Batman and Edward Scissorhands director Burton.

The Maesycwmmer-born star said: “ It was pretty incredible I had to spend a few days chasing Winona Ryder around a deserted Pleasure Beach in Blackpool.

“Tim Burton is like a big kid, and I’m a huge fan of his. He was just a real nice guy like anyone else, but he’s a genius.”

Despite a global pull, Craig is not too busy to promote and support other Welsh projects.

This summer he filmed Jolene: An Indie Folk Star Movie, which follows a folk-duo who travel in a packed camper van to play a Welsh music festival.

The whole film was made over five days and is the brainchild of Porthcawl director Jamie Adams.

Craig said: “I was in Atlanta shooting a comedy called Premature, and my agent sent me an email saying there’s this Welsh director that’s making this film about a folk singer driving through Wales and a lot of it will be improvised.

“I read it and thought it was right up my street. I’d done improv before but this was almost like a social experiment – like Big brother in a camper van.”

“I loved the improvisation element of the film but it is very tiring – what you’re actually doing is writing a script as you go along – in your head. I remember going to bed and being exhausted.”

Despite the flexing his improvisational talents, Craig is still very modest about his abilities, he added: “I’m the most natural character I’d say, as there are a lot of big characters in this film – I don’t think I do a whole lot of acting.”

His acting has won him praise worldwide and 2013 is set to be full to the brim with projects – many of which Craig has to keep under wraps,.

However he does however reveal that he’s already shot an episode of the final series of teen drama Skins, in which he had to do his first on-screen sex scene.

“Filming Skins was really cool, although I had to do the sex-scene. Hopefully for the first and last time – it was horrible,” he said.

But that’s not the only first for Craig, during 2013 he is also hoping to get a television show he is writing, up and running.

“I can’t say much about it yet as it’s very early days, but it’s going to be about three Welsh guys living in London.”

But despite his globe-trotting Craig is more at home in Wales.

He added: “I don’t have a lot of friends in London – the main friend I hang out with is Welsh. You sort of feel like you’re stepping on people’s turf when you are in London, but we want the Welsh to represent as well.

“I really miss living here. I’m looking forward to spending some time with my family over the Christmas holiday. I’ve been in the US for a lot of this year.”

Craig also won a Welsh BAFTA for best actor following his role in Richard Ayoade’s Submarine, which is an adaptation of the Swansea-based novel written by Joe Dunthorne.

He said: “Richard (Ayoade) did an incredible job of painting Wales in a way that no one had seen before.

“It was a very French New Wave style and since the film has come out the Film Agency Wales has really been pushing the industry here, and it’s about time, we have great actors and directors here.

“Also, I never expected to win anything in my life. I mean, I was never the kid on the football team who won any award at the end of the season – not even most improved player.”

He now hopes to fulfil some of his many ambitions in the film industry.

“I love the work of Paul Thomas Anderson, The Master is amazing movie,” said Craig. “I’d also love to work with Woody Allen and Shane Meadows.”